Protesters rally at Portland zoo party

Protesters showed up at Oregon Zoo's celebration Saturday of new elephant habitat

PORTLAND, Ore. -

On Saturday, the Oregon Zoo in Portland offered a sneak peek of the new elephant habitat during its annual celebration in honor of its oldest elephant, 'Packy.' But a protest outside the zoo dampened the festivities.

KGW reports the zoo showcased the new construction on ‘Elephant Lands.’ Activities taught kids about elephants and let visitors see what the elephants have to look forward to when the construction is complete in the fall of 2015.

The event was part of ‘Elephantastic,’ an annual salute to elephants, held on or close to Packy’s birthday.

Packy turns 52 on Monday, and will celebrate his birthday with a 40-pound whole-wheat birthday cake, frosted and topped with bananas, carrots, apples and sweet potatoes.

“Packy’s an elder statesman now,” said Bob Lee, elephant curator. “He’s the oldest male Asian elephant on the continent, and he really started it all — the focus on elephant welfare, the knowledge about elephants.”

But not everyone was happy about the celebration. More than 100 protesters associated with Free Oregon Zoo Elephants attended a Rally to Free Packy at the front entrance of the zoo Saturday afternoon.

"For 52 years, our beloved Packy has been confined to a cement cell and an artificial display," said Courtney Scott, spokeswoman for FOZE. "He is controlled by intimidation and fear of a bullhook. He rocks, bobs and sways from the boredom and stress of captivity."

Scott said FOZE wants the zoo to allow Packy to retire to a sanctuary, where he can spend the rest of his life "in relative freedom and comfort."

The group says its long-term goal is to petition Metro to get rid of the zoo's elephant exhibit in its entirety.

In response, officials said there is no better place for Packy than at the Oregon Zoo.

"He receives excellent care and is comfortable here in his home," said zoo spokeswoman Hova Najarian. "He is in great shape, with no signs of illness."

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